Peace as a Strategic Objective: Rethinking Deterrence in the 21st Century – The Strategic Stability Pentagram (SSP) Model

This article proposes rethinking deterrence in the 21st century by redefining peace as a measurable strategic objective. It introduces the Strategic Stability Pentagram (SSP), a model articulating five interdependent vectors — credible armed force, active diplomacy, internal cohesion, popular resilience, and constant anticipation — cross-referenced with three indicator families: legitimacy, anticipation, and strategic competitiveness. Applied retrospectively to Operation Barkhane in the Sahel (2013–2023), the model reveals how tactical excellence, by monopolizing resources and attention, concealed and ultimately deepened the collapse of the remaining stability vectors. The article concludes by proposing a “Pentagram audit” as a prerequisite for any future force projection. Published in: Revue Défense Nationale, n° 889, April 2026, pp. 57–64. Preprint also available on SSRN: https: //papers. ssrn. com/sol3/papers. cfm? abstractᵢd=6536538